What Is In And What Is Out Of My Control?

This week’s bible passage, Matthew 6:34 provides certainty for us all in a world which at times, can seems so uncertain.  When working with students who are feeling emotions of uncertainty or worry, I will often draw for them two circles within each other.  Within the outer circle I will ask students to tell me what is out of their control?  Students will often suggest things such as ‘what other students may say or do’; ‘what has happened in the student’s past’; ‘what may or may not happen in their future’. I then ask the student to focus on the inner circle: what is in their control?  Examples such as ‘how they respond with their emotions and feelings’; ’how they respond with their thoughts, words, and actions’; ’their ability to reflect on their past and make decisions on how to influence and set goals towards achieving outcomes in their future’.

Growing students’ capacity of self-awareness is a personal and social capability and a priority focus for all students at Pacific and is threaded into the Prep - Year 5 You can Do It! Program and Year 6 – 12 Personal Development Programs, as well as a skill taught intentionally in Pastoral Care. 

As students ‘finally’ settle into the rhythm of Term 1, students are encouraged to focus on what is in their circle of control, which is at present, primarily focused on their learning and prioritising their organization of assessment tasks, and study preparation for examinations.  Students who require additional support in meeting deadlines and submitting quality drafts are encouraged to seek teacher feedback and work with their teacher during break times or during an Academic Afternoon Tutorial set by their teacher and Head of Department for a particular subject area.  In addition, students have access to before and after school Math tutorials to support their learning and understanding of concepts, and Heads of House are the first point of contact for students requiring additional support in organising and planning their assessment calendars.

Ms Leigh Finter, Acting Director of Students